IDF preparing to deploy more troops in south Lebanon and expand buffer zone

The IDF is preparing to deploy more forces in southern Lebanon and expand its buffer zone to push away the threat of Hezbollah from the border, The Times of Israel has learned.

Last week, the military deployed troops deeper in southern Lebanon, beyond the five positions it already had, saying it aims to “establish a forward defense that will create an additional security layer for the residents of the north.”

Military officials say that Hezbollah, significantly weakened after the fighting in 2024, no longer poses an existential threat to Israel, and its weapon arsenal has been degraded by some 90 percent compared to before the war — which began on October 7, 2023.

Meanwhile, the IDF says that several Hezbollah operatives were killed in an airstrike during ground operations in southern Lebanon this past week.

According to the IDF, troops of the 769th “Hiram” Regional Brigade identified the operatives in their area of operations, and a short while later, they were targeted in a strike.

In another incident yesterday, the IDF says the troops identified a Hezbollah observation post and directed an airstrike against it.

במסגרת משימת ההגנה הקדמית: כוחות חטיבה 769 חיסלו חוליית מחבלים נוספת בדרום לבנון

כוחות אוגדה 769 פועלים תחת אוגדה 91 וממשיכים במשימת ההגנה הקדמית.

מוקדם יותר השבוע, זוהתה חוליית מחבלים במרחב בו פועלים כוחותינו בדרום לבנון, לאחר הזיהוי המחבלים חוסלו מהאוויר בהכוונת הכוחות בשטח.… pic.twitter.com/KnYARyuQAb

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) March 15, 2026